Won Jeong-seo 'COVID-19 Positive' Soccer National Team to Return on 26th via Association Charter Flight

Departure by flight to Austria on the 24th
Returning with confirmed cases and close contacts among players and staff onboard

The national soccer team training at BSFZ Arena in Maria Enzersdorf, Austria
[Photo by Korea Football Association]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heung-soon] Soccer national team players who tested positive for COVID-19 after traveling to Austria for an A-match will return to Korea on the 26th aboard a chartered flight provided by the Korea Football Association (KFA).

According to the KFA on the 22nd, the chartered flight prepared by the association will depart from Incheon Airport on the 24th at noon, heading to Austria. After picking up the players and staff on site, the flight is scheduled to arrive at Incheon Airport at 6:05 a.m. on the 26th. The chartered flight is operated by Asiana Airlines, the official partner of the KFA, using a Boeing 777-200ER, and the costs will be covered by the association.

So far, the confirmed passengers boarding the chartered flight in Austria include seven COVID-19 positive individuals: Cho Hyun-woo (Ulsan Hyundai), Lee Dong-jun, Kim Moon-hwan (both Busan IPark), Na Sang-ho (Seongnam FC), and three staff members, as well as eight close contacts. However, Hwang In-beom (Rubin Kazan, Russia) wishes to return via his club and will undergo one more PCR test on the 23rd (local time) before deciding on travel.

The remaining individuals who tested negative will board wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) such as protective suits, masks, and gloves to prevent infection. The KFA and health authorities have decided that to prevent risks arising from COVID-19 positive individuals and close contacts traveling together, all will wear protective suits while on the chartered flight.

Additionally, to prepare for any unforeseen circumstances, the KFA, in consultation with the government, will have medical staff experienced in COVID-19 treatment and quarantine on board the chartered flight. Upon arrival at Incheon Airport, the eight COVID-19 positive individuals will be transported according to the guidelines of the health authorities.

Hong Myung-bo, Executive Director of the KFA, stated, "We will do everything possible to ensure that the players and staff in Austria can travel safely and comfortably until they enter the country," and added, "We will be especially careful to prevent any further spread of COVID-19."